Police credit public tip in recapturing Justin Yates

By News Staff

Toronto police credit a tip from the public in tracking down a violent suspect who escaped custody almost three weeks ago.

Justin Yates was being held at the Toronto South Detention Centre and was being taken, by staff, to Toronto General Hospital for an appointment back on January 26. Police say he managed to get out of his leg irons before flagging down a taxi which took him to the Yonge and Dundas streets area.

 

Justin Yates was arrested at the corner of Parliament and Dundas Saturday. Courtesy of BETTY WONDIMU.

On Saturday night, police say they were alerted to the suspects presence in the Dundas and Parliament streets area. Upon arriving they noticed the suspect leaving a building and a foot chase ensued.

Yates attempted to elude officers by jumping through a window. As police attempted to handcuff him, he got free by slashing at them with a broken piece of glass. He then managed to run into another building, where a room-by-room search began until he was found and arrested without further incident.

The 39-year-old appeared in court Sunday morning, faced with two counts of escape lawful custody, assault police officer with a weapon, possession of property obtained by crime and mischief under $5,000.

Yates was originally wanted in a break-and-enter investigation into a business near Queen and Bay streets back on January 12.

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